Ozbey breeds success on familiar turf
The Sydney-born striker, who celebrates his 24th birthday next week, blasted home his sixth goal of the season at WIN Stadium at the weekend to maintain a firm grip on his position as the league?s current top scorer.
The goal itself came on 65? minutes direct from Ozbey?s twenty-yard free kick.
With the defensive wall well placed to cover the near post, Ozbey spectacularly drilled the ball across Wolves? keeper Brody Crane and into the far top corner at a blinding pace.
The strike not only brought spectators to their feet, it also drew praise from both coaches.
?That was his sixth of the season,? said Blacktown coach Aytek Genc.
?The free kick he scored tonight was world class. He?s always a handful.?
South Coast Wolves? coach Trevor Morgan also took time to praise the strike.
?He?s beaten the keeper for pace and drilled it straight past him,? said Morgan.
?He absolutely smashed it ? it was a top free kick.?
?If anyone hits a ball harder than that in this league I?d be surprised,? added Morgan.
Ozbey is no stranger to scoring goals, having twice received the NSW Premier League Golden Boot in 2006 & 2007, coincidentally while playing for his current club. During this spell Ozbey was also awarded player of the year during Blacktown?s 2006 campaign.
Since his original success at Blacktown, Ozbey has plied his trade for a number of clubs. His achievements in 2006 led to a brief loan stint at Sydney FC during the A-League Finals series, during which he made a substitute semi-final appearance against Adelaide United at Hindmarsh Stadium and watched on from the bench as FC secured the inaugural A-League title.
Ozbey also appeared in the A-League for Newcastle Jets, then returned to the NSW Premier League to play for Marconi Stallions and Sydney Olympic, before heading off to Turkey for TFF Third League club Bursa Nil?fer SAS.
Having now arrived on familiar turf at Blacktown City for the 2010 campaign, Ozbey appears set to complete yet another successful season with the club ? although Aytek Genc sees greater things ahead for his enigmatic striker.
?He?s a great young player,? said Genc.
?He just loves to score goals.?
?For me he?s a player that should be snapped up by an A-League club because he is a match winner,? added Genc.
Tolgay Ozbey will be next in action for Blacktown City in the top of the table clash with Bonnyrigg White Eagles this Sunday afternoon at Lily Homes Stadium, Seven Hills.
-By Michael Shoolman
